Happy Wednesday

Yeah, when I'm home I spend a bit of time gawking at people's builds. I know you do too so don't judge me! Oh Flickr, how you've changed my life. Each bike shows character and a reflection of the rider. Christina's bike is unique in it's own right. Don't think you'll see a build like this anytime soon. Here's Christina's profile and bike check from our friends down at Bmorefixed.

Bike Check:Frame: Milwaukee Bruiser xs
Fork: Milwaukee Bruiser fork
Headset: Mixture of Cane Creek and FSA headset parts
Stem: Atomlab
Bars: Blkmrkt
Grips: Animal Hamilton
Tires: Schwable Marathon slicks 1.75
Rims: Velocity Chukkers 26’s
Hubs: Formulas
Cranks: Sugino Messengers but getting some Profiles soon!
Sprocket: 44t Sugino Messenger RD
Pedals: Animals Hamilton’s pc
Straps: Holdfast!
Seatpost: Kalloy
Saddle: Odyssey

Hey Christina, let's get the basics out of the way: Where are you from and what are you doing in Baltimore? Originally I’m from New Hampshire but I’m finishing school in Baltimore

When did you first get into FGT?

Summer of 2009 when I was challenged to bar spin at the shop I worked at in Charlotte NC.

How has your riding style changed since then?

I started with fixed specific tricks and have progressed since then to tricks that you can do on all sorts of bikes.

What has influenced your style and how are you looking to progress?

Bootleg sessions was a big inspiration, I’d like to do more combos and stairs

Where would you like to ride that you haven't before?

Greece, Japan, and Switzerland

Any shout outs/thanks?
Shout outs to the Bmore crew, Philly Crew and everyone else who supports!
Thanks to Hold Fast, Profile, and Milwaukee bikes!

Christina BmoreFixed Edit from Keith Teket on Vimeo.

Pretty sweet Christina! Thanks for the shout out. Your lines are looking great. Looks like the Bmore Fixed crew is having a good summer!

Earl

Heavy Duty

All-City Sheriff Hubs

Velocity 26" Chukker Black 36H

Pretty impressed with the new All City Sheriff hubs. Great construction and design. A lot more surface contact to your dropouts or fork ends. We'll see how they hold up to trick riders out there. In lieu of Sun MTX 26" rims being out of stock, we also picked up some 26" Chukkers. These rims and the Sheriff hubs; now that's a burly combo.

Keep it real.

Earl

TOAD Series - Downer Classic

Brats? Beers? T-shirts? Bikes going in circles? I'm no math major but that's a formula for some good times. Come join us for the Downer Classic this Saturday at the corner of E Park PL and Hackett Ave (near Cafe Hollander). Festivities start around 11am and goes past 9pm.

Earl

p.s. All proceeds go to the infamous Ben's Cycle Super Prime! Last year our prime gave over $6000 to one lucky rider!!!! So come on down and support cycling!

Fresh

Sucks being sick in the summertime. It's been awhile since I've been on the bike. Well, boo hoo for me but some great new things for you! Here are some freshly added items in our inventory...

Euro-Asia 40 Hole Hubset

Perfect for a polo wheelset, check out the listing, we have some great rims to match them up!

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Nitto RB-002 In Black and Silver

This bar combines a lot of Nitto styles into one. They remind me of a pair of Syntace bullhorns I had awhile back in the day.

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Kalloy Alloy Track Bars In Black and Silver

These are awesome! Very reminiscent of Major Taylor bars. They are light, shallow, and won't break the bank. Since we're on the subject, check out this video. Thanks Kyle!

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Panaracer Ribmo 700x23c White

The great Ribmo is now available in White! Only 23c for the time being.
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Gilles Berthoud Soulour Black

New styles from the company that's known for their handlebar bags. I'll be reviewing one of these saddles in the next couple of weeks; I'll let you know how it rides. I've said it before...these are some hot saddles.

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Primo Aneyerlator White

We've had these for a bit of time now but I just love the lines! I just had to take a closeup shot.

Be sure to check out our New Products page from time to time. A lot more new items to peruse!

Earl

Slayer!....Pinball!....What!!!!!

You can't be riding your bike all the time. So when I'm doing the inevitable "waiting"; I know I'll have this time passing metal game to keep me from going crazy! or help me get there...

Kind Words

I received this email a few minutes ago from The Mark$ter that made my day...

"Man oh man.

I did 100 gravel and singletrack fixed miles on that Bruiser last weekend up in VILAS county on the U.P. border. Unreal. So so fun. No smoke up your hoo-hoo Drew, but that's the best bike I've had for what I love to do on a bike EVER. Who'd have thought something so simple was what I was looking for all along. I have two customs and neither leave me feeling as comfortable as Ol' Purple. I can do whatever I want on that thing - ride trails and keep up with the cross bikes on pavement. Perfect, seriously.

I'll post pictures from the trip on Bike Jerks in the next couple of days.

Say hello to Earl and Matt and Kremin when you get the chance.

Hope to see you sooner than later.

Mark "

John, I hope you're as proud as I am. Thanks a ton Mark.

Big Truck and Tiny Wheels

Yup, we painted our truck. Don't know if a truck party is in the works but you never know.

Apparently it was a busy weekend for a lot of people. Riders from across the country convened in NYC for some good times. Looked like a fun weekend! Anyways, here's a shot of MBC rider Antonyo rockin' his new Raw Bruiser. Photo via John.

Some smooth lines in this one!

Speaking of sweet rides, here's Chris's (fellow Ben's mechanic) BMX whip. Rode this sweet thing around the new MKE bike polo courts. If you haven't checked their new spot in Washington Park, drop by! Man, it was a good weekend.

Earl

2nd Place Socks

This weekend's WEMS race at John Muir was a blast! Ben's employees/Team Haymaker took 2nd place in the 12 hour 4-person team category. We were neck n' neck with Team Kill Joy but at the end they trailed by a minute. Great group of guys/gals, we chatted with them for a bit after the race. It was great to see Russell, Lenny, Dan and other members of the Hayes/Sun Ringle crew. Unfortunately, only one member of Pegasus showed up, way to rep it up Djonn! Pumped for Thunderdown.

In the works for Ben's/MBC...
Mission Workshop bags have shipped; will arrive soon!

Earl

Light Up

(Sorry so blurry)

So a couple of us did a bit of mountain night riding at the John Muir trails on Wednesday night. I've only done one night ride before and have to say that it's both thrilling and terrifying going full blast downhill not exactly knowing the terrain ahead. A couple of us took some nasty diggers, nothing serious but a lot of 'oh crap' moments. It made me think how important having quality lights are not only for off-road night riding but also on the street. Always good to be seen than not.

New Knog Boomer

So speaking of quality lights...we just received a new shipment of Knog Boomers! It seems that Knog has redefined their light line with new designs. Around mid-end of July we will have their new Frog Strobe so keep an eye out for that.

I'll post some more new items we have in stock, so keep watch!

Earl

Guess What...

...That...just...happened. Bike Snob will have a field day with this one.

BTW, the music is wretched. Highly suggest you create your own soundtrack for it. Be sure to watch the kicker at the end. Pretty sweet.

Earl

Quake City Rumble

Click photo to enlarge

Looks like a blast, 3 days of racing! More from their Facebook page and list of sponsors. So if your in the SF area check it out!

Earl